OFA’s Role in the Government of Ontario’s Open for Business Initiative Joe Dickenson Provincial Director Ontario Federation of Agriculture March 22, 2013

Ontario Federation of Agriculture OFA is the largest general farm organization in Ontario – Mandate: Enable prosperous and sustainable farms – 38,000 farm family members – 18 Provincial Directors – Policy Advisory Council of 87 – Research Department of 6 – Member service field staff of 20

Open for Business Process OFA invited by Gov’t of Ontario to coordinate Agr & Agri-Food Strategy for Regulatory Modernization OFA consulted organizations representing: – Producers – Suppliers of agr-inputs and services – Food processors Various players agreed on 5 priorities

Agr & Agri-Food Priorities 5 priorities identified – Engagement in regulatory development process – Review of existing regulations – Consistency and accuracy in enforcement activites – Service standards for permits and licenses and approvals – Compliance incentives

Priority #1 Engagement of agricultural sector in regulatory development process – Ag sector involvement in all stages of regulatory development by OMAF – Oblige all ministries to consult with OMAF on regulations that may impact Ag sector – OMAF to develop a framework to define modern farm practices for benefit of other ministries

Priority #2 Review of existing OMAF regulations – OMAF establish a government-industry working group to review and advise on existing regulations pertaining to agr – identify regs that are: outdated no longer meet gov’t objectives stifle innovation

Priority #3 Inspection and Enforcement Activities – Inspection and enforcement of regulations must be consistent across the province and accurate – More emphasis on communicating regulatory compliance requirements

Priority #4 Service Standards – Streamline licensing, permitting, and approvals process – Establish a mechanism to address complaints (e.g. odour) and appeals (e.g. drain maintenance under the Drainage Act) that are frivolous and vexatious in nature

Priority #5 Compliance Incentives – Review regulatory compliance requirements and to determine ways to incent compliance and thus minimize the need for enforcement and penalties

Government Response OFA presented Agr & Agr-Food sector priorities to MEDT in May 2011 Agr & Agri-Food Sector Forum established in Aug 2011 – Meets minimum of twice a year – OMAF Minister Chairs the meeting and OMAF Deputy Minister attends

Government Response “Regulator’s Code of Practice” – Dated July 2011 and endorsed by Cabinet Secretary – Ontario’s most senior bureaucrat – A guide to all bureaucrats involved in Ontario’s regulatory process – Emphasizes risk-based, compliance- focused approach to regulation that achieves desired outcomes with minimum economic burden

Government Response “Regulator’s Code of Practice” – Code mirrors many of OFA’s priorities Involve stakeholders in policy and legislation from the outset Develop appropriate legislation with minimum compliance burden possible Change gov’t approach to facilitating compliance Assist and support regulatory compliance

Next Steps Hold government accountable to commitments made in “Regulator’s Code of Practice” Assemble examples of regulatory burden for presentation to Agr & Agri-Food Sector Forum – Examples identified and supported by practitioners in Agr & Agri-Food Sector

Relevance to Aquaculture Agr & Agri-Food Sector Forum can advance: – Ontario-Canada Subsidiary Agreement on Aquaculture Development – Development of Ont Aquaculture Policy – Provision by MNR of improved tenure security for aquaculture operators – An appeal process for regulatory dispute resolution

THANK YOU